University Theatre will open its next show, The Music Man (Concert Version), on Friday, February 25 for one weekend. The book, music and lyrics are by Meredith Willson, while the story is by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey.
The show’s run is scheduled for February 25-27 in Bliss Hall’s Ford Theater. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30pm while the Sunday matinee performance is at 2:00pm. All seats are general admission.
Directed by Dr. Maria Fenty Denison, who also provides musical direction, Meredith Willson’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957. The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.
The Concert Version features the Musical Theatre Ensemble on stage, conducted by Dr. Kent Engelhardt. Songs will be sung in order with dialogue and movement in between pieces.
Adult tickets are $16. Special rate tickets are: $8 for non-YSU students, YSU faculty and staff with valid ID, YSU alumni, senior citizens, Penguin Club members and groups of eight (8) or more. YSU student tickets are free with valid ID. Call 330-941-3105 or go to www.ysu.tix.com to purchase show tickets.